Cancer and Immune Cell Metabolism in Patients With Hematological Malignancies
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Hematologic Malignancy. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Switzerland
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
This study investigates how metabolism in cancer and immune cells shapes the bone marrow environment, influences therapy resistance, and affects outcomes in hematological malignancies.
Detailed description
Hematological malignancies, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and myelofibrosis, are aggressive cancers of the blood and immune system. While chemotherapy is commonly used, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains the only curative option for many patients. Allo-HSCT relies on donor immune cells, particularly T cells, to eliminate residual malignant cells, but relapse occurs in a significant proportion of patients, underscoring the need for improved therapeutic strategies.
Recent research has highlighted the critical role of cellular metabolism in both cancer cell survival and immune cell function. AML cells, for example, rely on mitochondrial respiration, while immune cells are sensitive to metabolic changes in the bone marrow microenvironment. These metabolic interactions may influence disease progression, therapy resistance, and immune-mediated anti-tumor responses, yet they remain poorly understood.
The primary goal of this study is to investigate how cancer and immune cell metabolism shapes the bone marrow environment and influences treatment outcomes in patients with hematological malignancies. By performing detailed metabolic profiling of malignant cells, immune cells, and extracellular metabolites across disease stages and treatment time points, the study aims to identify key metabolic pathways and interactions that could serve as targets for novel therapies and guide personalized treatment approaches.
This research is expected to deepen the understanding of metabolic mechanisms underlying hematological cancers and allo-HSCT outcomes, potentially leading to improved strategies to enhance anti-tumor immunity, prevent relapse, and optimize patient-specific therapy.
Primary outcome measures
- Concentration of metabolites [Time frame: at primary diagnosis (month 0); after initial chemotherapy (month +0.5-2); before allo-HSCT (month +3-12); 1, 3, 6, 12 month after allo-HSCT (month 4-13, 6-15, 9-18, 15-24), and at relapse (if applicable, up to 5 years)]
- Concentration of lipids [Time frame: at primary diagnosis (month 0); after initial chemotherapy (month +0.5-2); before allo-HSCT (month +3-12); 1, 3, 6, 12 month after allo-HSCT (month 4-13, 6-15, 9-18, 15-24), and at relapse (if applicable, up to 5 years)]
- Expression profiling [Time frame: at primary diagnosis (month 0); after initial chemotherapy (month +0.5-2); before allo-HSCT (month +3-12); 1, 3, 6, 12 month after allo-HSCT (month 4-13, 6-15, 9-18, 15-24), and at relapse (if applicable, up to 5 years)]
- Metabolic function [Time frame: at primary diagnosis (month 0); after initial chemotherapy (month +0.5-2); before allo-HSCT (month +3-12); 1, 3, 6, 12 month after allo-HSCT (month 4-13, 6-15, 9-18, 15-24), and at relapse (if applicable, up to 5 years)]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
- Response to treatment(s) [Time frame: during whole study, up to 5 years after allo-HSCT]
- Duration of the response [Time frame: during whole study, up to 5 years after allo-HSCT]
- Progression-free survival [Time frame: during whole study, up to 5 years after allo-HSCT]
- Overall survival [Time frame: during whole study, up to 5 years after allo-HSCT]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- age > 18 years,
- signed written informed consent
- For participants with hematological cancers: diagnosis of MDS, AML, ALL, PMF or post-ET/PV MF
Exclusion criteria
- pregnant or lactating women,
- inability to give consent,
- active malignant disease (other than MDS, AML, ALL, PMF or post-ET/PV MF in the last 3 - years prior to study inclusion).
- For healthy donors: previous or current hematological disease, previous or current other malignant disease,
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
Study locations
Switzerland · 1 center
- University Hospital Basel — Basel
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07189117 · 2025-01775;th25Aposotolova